WHAT WE WILL BE DISCUSSING IS THIS: how are we to recognize the various activities of the self and its subtle forms behind which the mind takes shelter?
We see the self, its activity and its action based on an idea. Action based on an idea is a form of the self because it gives continuity to that action, a purpose to that action. So, idea in action becomes the means of continuing the self. If the idea was not there, action has a different meaning altogether, which is not born of the self. The search for power, position, authority, ambition, and all the rest are the forms of the self in all its different ways.
But what is important is to understand the self and I am sure you and I are convinced of it. If I may add here, let us be earnest about this matter; because I feel that if you and I as individuals, not as a group of people belonging to certain classes, certain societies, certain climatic divisions, can understand this and act upon this, then I think there will be real revolution. The moment it becomes universal and better organized, the self takes shelter in that; whereas, if you and I as individuals can love, can carry this out actually in everyday life, then the revolution that is so essential will come into being, not because you organized it by the coming together of various groups, but because, individually, there is revolution taking place all the time.
(Madras, 5th public talk, 19 January 1952.)
今天我们探讨的话题是：如何识别“自我（the self）”的各种涌动及其狡黠的表现形式？须知，我们的心就躲在这些狡黠形式后面，寻求庇护。
我们看到，“自我”，连同其活力、行动都建立于理念之上。理念支撑着我们的行动，“自我”用这种形式得以呈现，因为理念驱使着我们的行动，使之连绵不断，并为行动赋予意义。所以，行动中的理念，就成了“自我”得以延续的手段。如果理念不再附丽于行动，则行动就具备了截然不同的意义，因为这样的行动不再是“自我”所催生的。追逐权力、地位、权威、雄心等等，都是在各种渠道中“自我”的表现形式。
重要的是理解“自我”，我相信我们对此都确定无疑。如果我能建言，就让我们对这个话题保持热切。因为我感觉，如果你我作为个体，能够理解这一点，并付诸行动，那必将产生真正的革命；不要作为群体的一员——某阶层、社会、气候区域等群体的一员，去理解“自我”，因为一旦理念盛行并贯彻到组织中，“自我”就会栖身于理念的避风港中。但，如果作为个体的你我，心中有爱，并把爱贯彻到日常生活中，则你我的生命中就能产生根本性的革命。这种革命并非缔结各种群体、通过组织力量而产生的，而是因为在每一个个体的生命中，时时刻刻发生着革命。
（选自1952年1月19日于印度马德拉斯的第五次公开谈话）
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